David Lucius McCain (July 23, 1931 – November 11, 1986) was a justice of the

Supreme Court of Florida The Supreme Court of Florida is the state supreme court, highest court in the U.S. state of Florida. It consists of seven justices—one of whom serves as Chief Justice. Six members are chosen from six districts around the state to foster geog ...

from December 14, 1970 to August 31, 1975,Erik Robinson, "Florida Supreme Court Justices: List of Life Dates", Florida Supreme Court Historical Society (June 2010). when he resigned after being accused of taking bribes. He then became an accused

drug smuggler The illegal drug trade, drug trafficking, or narcotrafficking is a global black market dedicated to the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of prohibited drugs. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types ...

, and was for several years a

fugitive A fugitive or runaway is a person who is fleeing from custody, whether it be from jail, a government arrest, government or non-government questioning, vigilante violence, or outraged private individuals. A fugitive from justice, also known ...

, until his death.Dave von Drehle a Democrat, and Mary Jo Tierney, "The rise and fall of McCain", ''The Miami Herald'' (November 24, 1986), p. 1A, 7A.

Early life, education, and career

Born in

Sebastian, Florida Sebastian is the most populous city in Indian River County, Florida. It is located at the confluence of the St. Sebastian River and the Indian River. It is the largest city in Indian River County and the biggest population center between Palm ...

, McCain graduated from the

University of Florida The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a public university, public land-grant university, land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida and a preem ...

in 1955 and entered the practice of law, where he was successful as a trial lawyer. In 1966, he joined the

Republican Party Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, a reference to Republicanism, a political ideology. Republican Party may refer to: Africa *Republican Party (Liberia) *Republican Party (Malawi) *Republican Party (Nami ...

to support the candidacy of Claude R. Kirk Jr., who won the gubernatorial race and appointed McCain to the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal. This comes on the heels of McCain attempted to run for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives; where after he lost, he switched his party affiliation in 1962. McCain ran for a seat on the Florida Supreme Court in 1968.

Judicial service

McCain ran for a seat on the Florida Supreme Court in 1968, but was defeated by Justice Adkins.Joseph A. Boyd Jr., Randall Reder,
A History of the Florida Supreme Court
, ''University of Miami Law Review'' (1981), p. 1062. When Justice Thornal died two years later, Governor Kirk appointed McCain to that seat. McCain was discovered to be taking bribes, and resigned from the court days before the beginning of an impeachment trial.

Later life and death

Following his resignation from the court, McCain was disbarred, and was accused of being involved in drug smuggling. He was indicted on four felony counts, but never convicted and skipped bail in 1983, becoming a

for the remainder of his life. While living under the name "Thomas Mills",Investigators Confirm Dead Man is Fugitive Former Justice
by the

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American not-for-profit organization, not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and produces news reports that are dist ...

; published November 13, 1986. McCain discovered that he had cancer, and contemplated turning himself in, but died before he had the chance, in

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville ( ) is the most populous city proper in the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida, northeastern Florida. It is the county seat of Duval County, Florida, Duval County, with which the City of Jacksonv ...

at the age of 55. His body was discovered in a Jacksonville apartment rented under the name, Thomas Mills, but authorities determined that the body was that of McCain.Lucy Morgan,
Authorities are satisfied that body was fugitive former justice McCain
, ''Tampe Bay Times'' via ''St. Petersburg Times'' (November 14, 1986), B-1.

References

1931 births 1986 deaths People from Sebastian, Florida Florida Republicans Justices of the Supreme Court of Florida Fugitives wanted by the United States Fugitives wanted on drug trafficking charges 20th-century American judges {{Florida-state-judge-stub